Port San Antonio positioned for aerospace growth

Port San Antonio was created by the Texas Legislature to oversee the redevelopment of the 1,900-acre site of the former Kelly Air Force base, which closed in 2001. In the years since the Port began operating, innovative real estate development—coupled with support from customers and the community—have transformed it into a unique logistics and industrial center supporting regional economic growth.

Today there are almost 80 organizations based at the Port, directly employing 14,000 people and accounting for $4.2 billion in annual economic activity.

Much of this success is owed to the Port’s aerospace customer base. Companies like Boeing, Lockheed Martin and Pratt & Whitney were among the first to arrive at the Port, where for over a decade they’ve focused on military aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul.

Additional companies have since followed, and today there are 14 aerospace-related organizations here supporting military projects and adding private work.

In 2005 Gore Design Completions, North America’s largest outfitter of customized wide body aircraft interiors, established its headquarters at Port San Antonio. The company has grown significantly, adding 100,000 square feet to its facilities last year as demand grows for its specialized services.

Private sector work got another boost recently when Boeing received the first of six new 787 Dreamliners to undergo part of their manufacturing in San Antonio. This project is adding 450 temporary jobs to an existing workforce of 4,300 aerospace employees at the Port.

Starting next year, thanks to the city-led extension of 36th Street into the heart of Port San Antonio, 150 acres contiguous to Kelly Field will be opened to build additional aerospace facilities. Over time, development of these sites could add 8,000 more jobs, further cementing our region’s standing as an aerospace leader.

This growth will also provide opportunities for area businesses, including vendors to expanded aerospace companies. And, with the ongoing support of training and education partners like Alamo Colleges, this growth also means promising futures for San Antonians embarking upon careers in one of our region’s important growing fields.